Rain holds up and good times rule the day Sunday at Beachwood Family Fun Day

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- An estimated 5,000 people took in Sunday's Family Fun Day in Beachwood making the annual event a rousing success, but things could have turned out very differently.

Gray skies hung over the area throughout the four-hour afternoon event. Threatened rain, however, did not materialize and the fun carried on in the lot behind the city's aquatic center.

"I was very grateful that the weather held out and that there was no rain today," said Mayor Merle Gorden. "There was a bubble today over Beachwood."

This year's Family Fun Day, under the direction of Community Services Director Karen Carmen, included once again the popular zip line, inflatables, a petting zoo, lots of crafts and more.

"I think this is one of the best ones we've been to," said Cleveland Heights resident Michele Kaplan of Family Fun Day. "They added the Game Craze (game truck),they have the bungee jumping (a bouncing toy for youngsters) and the zip line."

As she spoke, Kaplan was making a pasta bead necklace with her daughter, 2-year-old Hadassah.

"I think the zip line was her favorite," said Beachwood's Hallie Markowitz of her daughter, Molly, 10. "And the ice cream wasn't bad, either."

Molly also got a lesson on how to play the flute from sophomore Beachwood High School band member Mukul Govande as she prepared to play the instrument in the fifth grade this year at Hilltop Elementary School.

"We love it. We come every year," said Julie Leeson, of Cleveland Heights. "It's free and my kids love the games and the zip line. It's good for all ages."

For Beachwood, the event is akin to a one-day city festival.

"It's our big event that we do at the end of the season for our community," said Carmen, who was overseeing her 15th Family Fun Day.

"There are a lot of volunteers and help from people who work at city hall," Gorden said. "We're giving back to the community."

Gorden noted that Monday is the final day of the season for the aquatic center, 21525 Fairmount Blvd.

"I'd like to keep it open longer, but a lot of the kids who work as lifeguards have to go back to school," he said.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.